The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has adopted a project, LOGISMED, to provide logistics training in the Southern Mediterranean countries, and contribute to the creation of a more competitive and strengthened logistics industry and to the development of a private sector-friendly environment in the Mediterranean, with the public sector playing a support and coordination role.

A press release said the purpose of LOGISMED is to create a network of Euro-Mediterranean Logistics Platforms, working under some common quality criteria that conform to international best practices, using common protocols, notably for electronic data interchange and sharing know-how.

LOGISMEDTA (technical assistance) aims to improve the level of qualifications in the logistics sector by reinforcing logistics training structures in Southern Mediterranean Member countries. It more specifically focuses on the constitution of a network of experts and trainers at various levels who will lead the transformation of the transport and logistics sectors and create a Euro-Mediterranean market of logistic specialists. In addition to its impact on the transport and logistics sectors, the LOGISMEDTA project is expected to contribute to the creation of qualified logistics jobs in the region.

This capacity building project will consist of the development of a common reference framework for logistic jobs and a common model for logistics courses, as well as activities enabling knowledge transfer and exchange of best practices notably through the creation of a pool of itinerant trainers and the definition of a student exchange programme.

The project is based on the underlying rationale that improving and harmonising the transport and logistics sectors would accelerate the economic development in Southern Mediterranean countries. It builds on an EIB study entitled “A Euro-Mediterranean Network of Logistics Platforms” published in March 2009 which focused on the potential for the creation of a network of logistic platforms in the region, as well as on the LOGISMED Training programme in the area of higher education and vocational education. (ENPI Info Centre)